Air Traffic Controller Salary in San Diego, CA: 2026
Air Traffic Controller salary data for San Diego, CA, adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.
The estimated median Air Traffic Controller salary in San Diego, CA is $236,928 per year ($19,744/month, $114/hr). This modeled estimate scales Salario's national benchmark (calibrated to the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median) by the local cost of living index of 160, which is 60% above the national average.
All four figures are Salario estimates (national benchmark scaled by San Diego's cost-of-living index); BLS does not publish a metro median for this title here.
Air Traffic Controller Take-Home Pay in San Diego
Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)
| Gross Annual | $236,928 |
| Federal Tax | -$47,121 |
| State Tax (7.6% eff.) | -$17,942 |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | -$14,874 |
| Annual Take-Home | $156,990 |
| Monthly Take-Home | $13,083 |
Living Cost Comparison
Air Traffic Controller Requirements
Key Skills
San Diego Job Market Overview
San Diego, California has a population of 1,386,932 and an unemployment rate of 3.8%. The top industries are Military, Biotech, Tourism. The local job growth rate is 2.2%, and the average commute time is 25minutes. These local figures come from Salario's city dataset; verify current values with BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics and Census QuickFacts.
Related Transportation Salaries in San Diego
Air Traffic Controller Salary in Nearby California Cities
Salary Percentile Breakdown: Air Traffic Controller in San Diego
Based on Salario's cost-of-living-adjusted salary tiers for Air Traffic Controller in San Diego, CA, here is an estimated percentile breakdown:
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Equivalent | Career Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th (lowest) | $149,920 | $72/hr | Entry-level, < 1 yr exp. |
| 25th | $193,424 | $93/hr | Junior, 1-3 yrs exp. |
| 50th (median) | $236,928 | $114/hr | Mid-career, FAA Academy |
| 75th | $309,120 | $149/hr | Senior, 5-10 yrs exp. |
| 90th (top) | $370,240 | $178/hr | Lead/Principal, 10+ yrs |
Percentiles are approximations, not measured local percentiles: P10, P50, P75, and P90 map to Salario's entry, median, senior, and top salary tiers scaled by the local cost-of-living index, and P25 is interpolated halfway between entry and median. Top earners (P90) typically include managers, specialists with rare skills, or those at high-paying employers in San Diego's Military sector.
5-Year Salary Trajectory
Salario's national dataset models approximately 15.0% salary growth for Air Traffic Controllers over the past 5 years. That national assumption is applied to the San Diego estimate below; it is not a measured local trend, and it should be compared with cumulative CPI inflation before treating it as a real-terms gain:
Year-over-year, an average Air Traffic Controller can expect a 8.4% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 9 years in San Diego. Negotiation, certifications (FAA Certification, Medical Certificate), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.
San Diego vs National Average
The national median Air Traffic Controller salary is $148,080 (BLS OEWS May 2025, Air Traffic Controllers). In San Diego, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $236,928 is 60.0% above the national figure. This reflects San Diego's cost of living index of 160 (higher than the national average of 100).
For Air Traffic Controllers, this means: rent typically consumes 19.1% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered affordable), and a median home in San Diego costs about 5.0× annual take-home. Homeownership is relatively attainable on this salary in San Diego.
Industry Context: Military in San Diego
San Diego's economy is anchored by Military, Biotech, Tourism, with 1,386,932 residents and an unemployment rate of 3.8% in Salario's city dataset. Pay for Air Traffic Controllers can differ by sector, so compare Military employers with other local employers. The local job growth rate in Salario's city dataset is 2.2%, and Salario's job dataset lists a 3.0% growth outlook for Air Traffic Controller roles; check the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for the official 2024-2034 projection for the closest matching occupation.
Methodology & Data Sources
How we calculate Air Traffic Controller salaries in San Diego, CA:
- Base salary model starts with Salario occupation data and public wage references, including BLS OEWS and O*NET when a direct or related occupational crosswalk is available (the national median is calibrated to the BLS OEWS May 2025 median for Air Traffic Controllers). For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
- Cost-of-living adjustment applied using the San Diego index of 160 relative to the national baseline of 100, with local rent, home price, unemployment, and tax inputs stored separately in Salario's city dataset.
- Percentile distribution (P10-P90) estimated from the entry, median, senior, and top compensation tiers in the Salario salary model rather than claimed as exact employer payroll data.
- Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), CA 2026 state income tax brackets after the standard deduction (top rate 13.3%), and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
- Tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single filer for tax year 2026) sourced from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and updated annually.
Authoritative data sources:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, national and metro-area salary data
- O*NET OnLine, occupation tasks, alternate job titles, skills, and SOC crosswalks
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, occupation outlook where a matching profile is available
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation data (CPI measures price changes, not city-to-city price levels)
- U.S. Census Bureau, San Diego QuickFacts, population and demographic data
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, official local unemployment rates to verify the San Diego figure above
Last reviewed: 2026. Salario's salary dataset is refreshed periodically, not automatically; check the linked BLS releases for the latest official data. Air Traffic Controller salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Military vs others in San Diego), specific skill set (Radar Systems, Communication, Decision Making), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Air Traffic Controller salary in San Diego, CA?
How much does a Air Traffic Controller take home in San Diego after taxes?
Is San Diego a good city for Air Traffic Controllers?
What skills are needed for a Air Traffic Controller in San Diego?
How does Air Traffic Controller salary in San Diego compare to the national average?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Air Traffic Controller salary in San Diego, CA?
Salario estimates the median Air Traffic Controller salary in San Diego, CA at $236,928 per year for 2026. This is a modeled figure: Salario's national Air Traffic Controller benchmark scaled by the local cost of living index of 160, not a measured local wage survey. The modeled entry-level estimate is around $149,920, and the senior estimate is $309,120 or more.
How much does a Air Traffic Controller take home in San Diego after taxes?
A Air Traffic Controller earning the median salary of $236,928 in San Diego, CA takes home approximately $156,990 per year ($13,083/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 33.7%.
Is San Diego a good city for Air Traffic Controllers?
San Diego, CA has a cost of living index of 160 (above national average). Air Traffic Controllers here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 3.8% and top industries include Military, Biotech, Tourism.
What skills are needed for a Air Traffic Controller in San Diego?
Key skills for Air Traffic Controllers include Radar Systems, Communication, Decision Making, Stress Management, Protocols. Typical education requirement is Associate's Degree + FAA Training. Valuable certifications include FAA Certification, Medical Certificate.
How does Air Traffic Controller salary in San Diego compare to the national average?
Salario's national median benchmark for Air Traffic Controller is $148,080 (calibrated to the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median). In San Diego, the cost-of-living-adjusted estimate is $236,928, which is 60.0% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.